Friday, April 29, 2011

Let me first say that we are all fine!! The devastation all around is unimaginable. I am so thankful we made it through. We are so blessed!! It all happened on Wednesday April 27. I think it will be one of those days we all talk about for a long time! One of those "where were you when stories." The entire day was a wild ride.

It started at around 5 am with the sirens going off. Great way to start the day. Schools were delayed because of the weather. I had a full morning of patients to see so I really needed to have the kids go to school. They were able to go at 9 am so I dropped them off as soon as I could. Ran to work and of course no patients came. Went to run some errands and the sirens started going off again. I also got a phone call that I needed to come get the kids because the school was closing early. When I got there the weather was getting really bad so the kids and I hung out until that round finished up. Here are the kids playing in the "safe area" at school. We headed home. As soon as we got home around 1 pm it really started storming. We got some pea sized hail and about 10 minutes of rain. For the entire day that was the worst in our neighborhood. The rest of the afternoon was spent watching the weather. It was crazy. I have never seen anything like it. I have grown up around lots of tornadoes. I have been around deadly tornadoes but this was just insane. It was just one tornado after another. You could see them on the radar. I do not get nervous in storms but there were a few moments that were scary. We got so lucky where we were. We never had to take cover. We just sat around and watched the coverage. There were tornadoes all around but for some reason our neighborhood did not have one come within 5 miles. We were so blessed. Matt was able to get home around 4 and then we just watched the craziness continue. I kept putting off cooking dinner because I was afraid me might loose power for a little bit. And we did around 5:30. So then we just had to listen on the radio. We were able to go outside and see the weather all around us. We went and visited with neighbors and let the kids play outside. Yes I know we are crazy!! The power was still out after 2 hours so we went to my parents house to get some food that they had grilled out. Yes we drove in the craziness! My dad cracked all of us up with his rigged radio from 1978.

We started hearing that power was going to be off for 4-5 days. It was just insane. Finally around 9:30 things died down. That is when we started hearing about some major damage. That was the thing about not having power we really did not know what was going on. We went to bed really not knowing how bad things were. Power was still out on Thursday morning with promises that it was still going to be 4-5 days. Everything was shut down. There was no gas to be found. It was crazy. Unlike anything I have experienced. Almost like Marshall law or something. Matt headed to work early on Thursday and there was no power at the hospital so things were a little crazy. There were lots of injured there as well. The kids and I decided to get out of town. Matt's parents were heading to the beach condo so went along. We are at the beach with hot water and electricity. Feeling really guilty for all of those left behind including Matt. We hear things are pretty rough. Cell service is very spotty so we are depending on CNN for our news right now.

It has been a crazy 48 hours. It has been stressful and overwhelming at times but we have been carried through it by our Savior. We continue to pray for all of those affected more than us. Lack of electricity is nothing compared to the suffering all around us.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

After all the Easter fun on Saturday we still had Sunday to go! We had a special Easter breakfast of tomb donuts. Ben loved being able to roll the stone away. And Kate just enjoyed her first donut ever!

We had to get the traditional before church family Easter pictures. I thought they turned out really good!We went to church and had a wonderful small group lesson and then great worship service. Then it was home for some naps before heading over to Kelly and Andrew's house for a great dinner. They had prepared an awesome egg hunt for the kids with great prizes! Ben and Kate loved it! There were even golden eggs.

Kelly way outdid herself with the beautiful table! Everything was so special and perfect. All the food was yummy too.

Monday, April 25, 2011

We had such an amazing Easter weekend! It is so much fun to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. We did so many fun things! I really do have to say it is one of my favorite holidays. Just so much fun! We did so much I am going to break it into 2 posts. Too much for one!

The fun started Friday night. Matt was able to go to the Secret Church simulcast held at our church. It was from 6pm - 12 am. He said it was AMAZING!! So glad he was able to go. While he was there the kids and I went over to my parents house to dye some eggs! So much fun Our beautiful eggs!Saturday morning started early and was full!! First up was a soccer game! Ben is just loving soccer.

We had some super special guests at the soccer game! Brad, LeeAnn and Paige were up from Mobile for the weekend and they got out early to come see Ben play! It was so great to have them there and get caught up. Kate and Paige had a blast playing together...

After the game we tried to get a picture of all the kids. It did not work!

After the soccer game we headed over to my parent's church for an Easter egg hunt. They had tons of eggs and lots of other fun things to do. Ben had a blast on the inflatables. He probably slid down the slide 100 times.

They both had a blast getting lots of eggs and prizes.

They had lots of great food. I think everyone's favorite was the cookies!

Kate even got in on the inflatable fun.

Everyone was worn out after all the fun! Needless to say there was some napping going on Saturday afternoon. Saturday evening was nice. We got to do our devotion and enjoy some time together as a family. We did the kids Easter baskets on Saturday night. We don't want them to take away from Easter Sunday. They just get a few little things from mom and dad to celebrate the special weekend.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Luke 24:5-6

Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Who, being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:6-11

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Since tomorrow will be so busy with Easter activities we finished up our Easter week devotions tonight! It has been such a blessing to us to go through the Holy Week story with Ben and Kate. I so desire to teach them at a young age the amazing love and sacrifice of our Savior! Tonight Matt read the story of the resurrection!! What a glorious story!! Our hope is found in the fact that our Savior not only died for us but He rose again!!!!

We have loved using resurrection eggs to share the Easter story and tonight we reviewed all we have learned this week with the eggs! The we made a tomb craft. They colored paper plates...Then we turned them into empty tombs. So cute!

We are so excited to get to celebrate the resurrection tomorrow!! He is not here! He is risen!!!

Matt & Emily

Blessed Beyond Measure!

Ben

Our Sweet 8 Year Old!

Kate

Our Fun & Crazy 5 Year Old!!

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Deuteronomy 6:5

Our goal as a family is to love and serve the Lord daily. We are seeking to do as the Bible commands and teach our children to live by this verse daily. We don't always get it right the first time but we are learning. We do promise that we have lots of fun!